A scene from *Dil Chahta Hai* is being recalled as involving real slaps on set. Aamir Khan says Akshaye Khanna slapped him 17 times for the film’s iconic sequence, and the aftermath was visible, with his face marked and reportedly swollen on one side.
In accounts shared by outlets, the production’s circumstances are highlighted as part of why the scene is remembered as unusually intense. Times of India and NDTV both feature Farhan Akhtar’s recollection of what happened next, saying that after filming, Aamir had a clear mark and his face showed swelling. India Today also references the number of slaps while framing the moment as a set incident involving Akshaye Khanna.
While the core detail of 17 slaps is consistent, the outlets differ slightly in emphasis: some focus on the number of takes and visible injury, while others focus on Farhan Akhtar’s description of what followed immediately after the scene. Times of India also includes additional related casting recollections, including comments about Saif Ali Khan and Suchitra Pillai.
